In The Press

HTHS holds first cyclebetes for juvenile diabetes research
Students at Moncton's Harrison Trimble High School plan to inaugurate a new fundraising craze and public awareness event for the Moncton Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation next month.

Groups of students will be competing in Metro Moncton's first "cyclebetes," keeping the wheels of their bicycles spinning for four hours on stationary training stands set up at the school to raise money for the organization.

The stands, at least 18 of them, are being provided by Mike's Bike Shop in Dieppe.

The event serves to raise awareness among the teenage student population to juvenile or type 1 diabetes, what it is and what those with this condition must do to survive, explained Erica Jamieson, who is with the Moncton foundation.

Type 1 or juvenile diabetes, where the person is totally dependent on insulin, is on the rise, more so in Atlantic Canada than the rest of the country, and no one knows why, she said.

The teen years are difficult, she said. Teens with juvenile diabetes want to fit in with the others, want to ignore their diabetes, she said.

This event is a great way to expose students to what juvenile diabetes is about, Jamieson said.

The first cyclebetes took place three years ago in British Columbia, said Janelle Tyler of Moncton, also with the foundation and an organizers of the HTHS cyclebetes event.

There were three schools that first year. Now there are 50 across Canada "and every school wants to do it again," she said.

Tyler said Metro Moncton high schools were canvassed and HTHS officials agreed to give it a try. Officials from other high schools will be on hand to see how the event unfolds.

The event will take place April 29 between 4 and 8 p.m. at the school with a goal of raising $5,000 for the foundation. Ten per cent of the proceeds will be donated to the school, said Tyler.

Each participant must raise a minimum of $50 and teams can be corporate or sports sponsored, she said.

The big sponsor for the event is Seaside Chev Olds Ltd. of Shediac.

A number of prizes will be awarded for different competitions and food will be served during the evening, said Tyler.

Other activities for the evening are being organized by the school's student council as a student leadership program.

The foundation also holds family and children's walks during the year to raise funds and awareness.

Also involved with organizing the cyclebetes besides Jamieson and Tyler is Mike LeBlanc of Dieppe.

This will be a fun packed evening with really high energy, said Jamieson.